Toward an Industrial Security Strategy to Safeguard Access to Critical Minerals

Access to minerals is critical to U.S. economic and national security. However, in recent years, China and Russia have gained strategic advantages in critical mineral global supply chains, introducing unacceptable risks to the U.S. industrial base. In response, the United States must develop and execute a comprehensive, long-term industrial security strategy with its allies and partners to expand reliable and assured access to critical minerals.

An assessment of the national competitive advantages of four states provides valuable context to the problem and underpins this report’s recommendations. China is an influential leader in the global mining industry, creating value across the entire mineral supply chain and holding significant power over supplies. Russia possesses abundant natural resources and skilled human capital, but poor governance challenges its global market access. Canada recognizes critical and strategic minerals are necessary for future economic growth and is taking proactive steps to develop its mining capacity. Australia is a dominant presence in the mining industry, benefiting from strong domestic rivals, aggressive home-based suppliers, and demanding local customers. Compared to the international community, the United States hosts an economic environment that encourages competition and innovation, but its mining industry struggles to compete with foreign competition.

This report provides eight policy recommendations for orienting the ways and means needed to expand domestic mining, maintain access to supply chains, and reduce U.S. economic and national security risks. The following is a summary list of recommendations:

1. Innovation: Foster mining innovation ecosystems for greater industry collaboration
2. National Defense Stockpile (NDS): Regularly audit and appropriately fund the NDS
3. Human Capital: Increase stakeholder collaboration to expand the mining workforce
4. Industry Policy: Incentivize domestic mining exploration, development, and production
5. Supply chains: Action recommendations contained within the “100-Day Supply Chain Review under Executive Order 14017 “Securing America’s Supply Chains”
6. Environment, Social, Governance (ESG): Develop international ESG standards
7. Permitting: Increase permitting efficiencies to increase mining competitiveness
8. Coalition Criticality: Develop an international critical materials list with allies and partners for increased risk awareness and mitigation planning

Read the report →